The Women Who Move Us: Advice From Women, For Women, In Tech And Startups

Industry Insights: Women in Technology

In celebration of International Women's Day 2026, a series of interviews titled "The Women Who Move Us" was conducted to gather insights from women in the technology and startup sectors. These interviews provided valuable advice for women entering these fields.

Advice for Women Entering the Tech Industry

"The balance of confidence and humility will take you farther than you’ll realise" – Becki LaPorte "The right culture will amplify you, not diminish you" – Deborah Overdeput "There are so many people who want to help you out, in the same way that they themselves were helped before" – Zelda Mariet "Find your community before you think you need it" – Miranda McLean "Cultivate confidence" – Vinny Sharma "In a world of noise, focus and execution beat complexity every time" – Michelle Donnolly "Competence creates confidence, not the other way round" – Olga Ukrainskaya "Don’t wait until you feel 'ready'" – Cassie Gasson "Don’t just ask for a seat at the table, but work to expand the table for those following behind you" – Meryem Habibi "Don’t let stereotypes or self-doubt dictate your path" – Gigi Schumm

Deborah Overdeput : Chief Operating Officer at Innovative Systems, Inc

Deborah emphasizes building technical credibility and understanding the business's commercial aspects. She advises seeking mentors and ensuring alignment with the right company culture.

Meryem Habibi : Chief Revenue Officer at Bitpace

Meryem highlights the importance of creating inclusive environments and expanding opportunities for others. She stresses the need to integrate diverse voices into strategic decisions.

Olga Ukrainskaya , Technical Marketing Manager

Olga advises mastering relevant technical skills and linking them to business outcomes. She encourages starting projects without waiting for full confidence, as competence builds confidence.

Cassie emphasizes the value of learning on the job and staying curious. She recommends building a strong support network and backing oneself through action.

Gigi Schumm: SVP, Americas Sales at Securonix

Gigi advocates for taking time to explore different career paths. She encourages seeking mentors and staying open to continuous learning.

Vinny Sharma , Senior Marketing Director – Global Field and Partner Marketing, Securonix

Vinny advises women to develop strong analytical and strategic skills, focus on continuous learning, and seek mentorship early in their careers.

Becki LaPorte , Principal – AML Strategy & Innovation, FinScan

Becki suggests seeking mentorship, being open to feedback, and understanding that career paths are often non-linear.

Michelle emphasizes adopting a future-focused mindset, building strong networks, and simplifying priorities for effective execution.

Miranda McLean is the Chief Marketing Officer at Ecommpay

Miranda advises building a community early, trusting instincts, and leveraging unique perspectives as competitive advantages.

The interviews highlight the collective knowledge and experiences of women in tech, emphasizing mentorship, continuous learning, and the importance of inclusive environments. These insights serve as valuable guidance for aspiring women in the technology industry.

Based on reporting by techround.co.uk.